There’s a certain crossover appeal when raw strength meets refined technique — and when one of the world’s strongest men steps into an Olympic discipline, curiosity quickly turns into intrigue.
Mitchell Hooper, known for conquering some of the most brutal tests in strongman, found himself in unfamiliar territory as he linked up with multi-time world champion Joe Kovacs to try his hand at shot put.
What followed wasn’t just a novelty attempt — it became a fascinating look at how elite power translates into a sport built on precision, timing, and years of technical mastery.
From the outset, Hooper leaned into the contrast between disciplines, joking about the nature of strength sports.
“There are very few Sports dedicated to people who like to eat a lot and allow themselves to get fat and try to get as strong as possible. Strongman is one,” he said, before adding, “But today we’re going to try shot put. I’m with multi-time world champion Joe Kovac and let’s see how far I can throw the shot.”
Kovacs immediately got to work, breaking down the fundamentals, starting with how to hold the shot. The emphasis wasn’t just on strength, but positioning — a detail that quickly separated novice from expert.
Kovacs explained that the elbow needs to be low in order to “throw it flat.”
The concept of “throwing flat” became a recurring theme. While many assume shot put is about launching the ball upward, Kovacs revealed the opposite.
“Everybody thinks when they see a throw like you’re throwing the ball high… but actually… I’m trying to drive that ball flat. The flatter I can drive the ball, the faster I can get it to go,” he said.
Despite stepping into a completely different sport, Hooper’s natural athleticism quickly stood out. Kovacs didn’t hold back in his assessment.
“Honestly, that looks pretty darn good. I’ve seen some like strong powerlifter guys try, and you’re a lot more mobile, which I think is allowing you to actually drive through the ball, so that was a really really good attempt,” he said.
It wasn’t just empty praise either. Hooper’s baseline throws were already competitive within the context of a complete beginner — enough to spark comparisons and even a bit of humour about where he might rank.
When Hooper asked what kind of distance he was hitting, Kovacs put it into perspective, referencing his own elite-level performances. With a personal best of 76 feet, the gap was clear — but so was Hooper’s potential to close it with time.
As the session progressed, the focus shifted from static throws to movement. Kovacs introduced the importance of building momentum through the hips rather than relying purely on the upper body.
“Everybody thinks you’re throwing from your shoulder, [but it’s the] hip that’s doing the work,” he said.
That subtle shift — from brute force to kinetic sequencing — highlighted the biggest difference between strongman and shot put. It’s not just about how much force you can generate, but how efficiently you can transfer it.
Even as techniques became more complex, Hooper continued to adapt quickly. Through wind-ups, half turns, and transitions, Kovacs remained impressed.
“Honestly better than most by far,” he said at one point, even joking, “We can get you a scholarship by the end of the day.”
But beneath the humour was a serious point: elite strength gives Hooper a foundation that most athletes simply don’t have.
Kovacs reinforced that idea when discussing what separates the very best in the world.
He said: “The thing about shot put, obviously it’s a strength event, but the best people in the world that are throwing aren’t the best at Force creation, they’re the force creating it and then using it in another way.”
That “other way” is what takes years — even decades — to refine.
“I’ve been throwing since I was maybe 14 [and] I’m 35 and still have no idea what I’m doing in some ways,” Kovacs admitted, underlining just how technical the sport really is.
Still, the conversation inevitably turned to the big question: could Hooper actually make it in shot put?
Given enough time, Kovacs didn’t rule it out.
“I think you have a really good chance because you have the hardest thing that people can’t get which is the power and and not just the power of strength, but it’s also the motivation, the drive to do it right.”
However, he was quick to draw a line between competing and contending.
“There’s a huge difference in making the team than the guys who make the final and the guys who get the medal, right that’s that’s the biggest jump,” Kovacs said.
For Hooper, the idea clearly wasn’t dismissed outright.
“I’ll be honest I’m not opposed to it. It’ll be a lot of nitty-gritty,” he said.
And while the session was ultimately a crossover experiment, it offered something more — a rare glimpse into how elite athletes from different disciplines stack up when worlds collide.
Strength got Hooper through the door. Technique showed him just how far there is to go.
Featured image credit: Mitchell Hooper / YouTube
